Chapter 6
Other
Research
Databases
Learning
Objectives
Additional database research
strategies
Accounting search tools
Governmental accounting databases
Financial research databases
Business research databases
Massive Legal databases
Other Database Research
Strategies: Step 1:
Information Needed
Business information needs can arise
for various reasons, such as
Understanding the industry of a client
Financial news that may affect a client
Background of new corporate executives
Understanding a companys new
products and patents
Other Database Research
Strategies: Step 2:
Determine the Sources
Commercial databases advantages
Ability to improve database features
Better search tools
Comprehensive retrieval systems
Often more user friendliness
Other Database Research
Strategies: Step 2:
Determine the Sources
(contd.)
Industry information sources
Sometimes need gov. industry
code
Government agencies
Trade associations
Other Database Research
Strategies: Step 3: Use
Search Techniques
Find all relevant sources
If keyword search, consider
Alternative keyword terms
Segment searching
Date restrictions
Changing connector terms
Understand any search engine limits
Use reminder tools
i.e. search histories
Other Database Research
Strategies: Step 4: Manage
the Results
Search results come in various
forms
Citation, abbreviated, or full
document views
Descriptive graphics or charts
Additional documents or info. may
exist through tabs or listings on the side
Other Database Research
Strategies: Step 4: Manage
the Results (contd.)
Consider reformat the citation of
sources to conform to the style
needed.
APA Style uses authors last name and first
name initial (year of publication), article
title, journal volume number (issue), article
pages.
Am. Acc. Assoc. style slightly varies from
APA.
Accounting Research
Tools
RIA Checkpoint has a financial
research library in some subscriptions
CCHs Accounting Research Manager
Access to FASBs codification, government
accounting, various auditing standards,
SEC authorities, and helpful secondary sources
Advertises additional SEC materials not found in
the FASBs codification
Weekly newsletter available to subscribers
AICPA Accounting
Research Tools
Accounting Trends and Techniques
Financial Report Surveys
Audit and Accounting Manual
Accounting and Tax Index
Government Accounting
Databases
GASB GARS
Government Accounting Research
System
for state and local accounting
Summary information on GASBs website
The Current Text provides GASBs
codification of government acc.
standards
Hierarchy of authority exists
Government
Accounting Databases
(contd.)
FASAB Codification of authorities
Accounting for the Federal government
No hierarchy of authorities exists
Financial Research
Databases
Provide financial statements of
companies
Examples of investigations:
Unfunded pension liabilities
Dual date audit reports
Size ranking of a company
Pending government investigations
Info. valuable for partner negotiations
Ratio analysis for credit ratings
S&P NetAdvantage
Separate news on the market, bonds,
the economy, and industries
Quick links to industry surveys,
investment publications, investment
advisory reports
Includes both private & public companies
Powerful search functions exist
Able to make various database reports
Bond info available in spreadsheet format
including its type, rating, & callability
Mergent Online
Public company info. is brief
Access to company financials,
history, joint ventures, property
locations
Daily stock prices
Financial ratio analysis
Industry comparisons
Foreign companies provided
Thomson Research
Analyst reports are historical strength
Providemore comprehensive view of a
company
Analyzes implications of new developments
Historical corporate data (from 1962)
Content profile includes financial data, SEC
filings, auditors report, accounting
practices, and financial ratios
Thomson Research
(contd.)
Nonfinancial information includes
Overview of markets and technology
Companies joint ventures
Product announcements
Other Financial
Databases
Business and Company Resource
Center Thomson Financial content
Hoovers Online comprehensive
company, industry, and market
intelligence
Other Financial
Databases (contd.)
Morningstar Investment
Research Center
particularly valuable for mutual funds
Factiva joint venture between Dow
Jones and Reuters 25 years of pricing
on stocks, bonds, mutual funds, and
global market indices.
Financial Research
Challenges
Physically visiting the library for sources
Hedge funds and private equity info.
Mergers & acquisition info
Academic accounting research
Professional accounting concerns
Specialized research, such as UCC filings
Article Index Databases
Provides relevant, non-authoritative
analysis on various topics
Search for leading periodicals, such as
Wall Street Journal, or academic
journals
Article Index
Databases (contd.)
Article Index databases include
Business Source Premier, part
of EBESCO Host
ABI Inform Global
Specialized databases
Broader databases, such as
Factiva & LexisNexis
International Business
Sources
GlobalEDGE Resource Desk
web directory of international topics
International organizations such as
World Bank and OECD (Organization for
Economic Cooperation & Development
Government agencies such as
International Trade Administration
Foreign Databases
Statistical Sources
Stat-USA current and historical data
on business, international trade, by
the U.S. Department of Commerce.
Various notable hardbound sources
S&Ps statistical service
Statistical Abstract of the U.S.
LexisNexis
Use to find authoritative legal sources,
news, business information, public
records
Potential searches:
Earnings reports
Which companies have reorganized
A companys subsidiaries, divisions,
branches.
Includes securities and tax laws,
newspapers, magazines, wire services,
accounting journals, law reviews
LexisNexis Academic
A subset of the information on LexisNexis
Five areas: general, business, legal
research, news, and people
Company dossier are particularly helpful
Some search engine limitations exist
Go to the area of interest before searching
Accounting information is weak, instead
use an accounting database, such as
CCHs Accounting Research Manager
Other Legal Databases
Westlaw, Westlaw Business
Alternative to Lexis especially for legal
materials
Search tools facilitate keyword searches
Research tools especially noteworthy for
court cases, such as headnotes
Hein Online provides full-text access to
law reviews
Wilson Web is an article index database
for business and legal sources
